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Life in Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay Area
Map of Berkeley | Housing Information
Studying in the International Diploma Programs places you in the heart of downtown Berkeley. You attend classes in the UC Berkeley Extension building, just a few short blocks from the UC Berkeley campus.
Berkeley is a dynamic community and part of the larger San Francisco Bay Area. This is the home of free thought and innovation, inspiring the launch of out-of-the-box creative pioneers such as Google and Pixar Studios. Here you'll meet enthusiastic and accepting professionals who are committed to achieving their dreams. The city boasts a 'melting pot' of traditions and welcomes diversity with open arms.
Experience Berkeley
In downtown Berkeley, you are in an arts and entertainment district offering cinemas, live
theater, and music. You can sample local organic foods at a weekend farmers' market. You can have coffee at a sidewalk café or take a hike in the wooded Berkeley hills. Visit one-of-a-kind street vendors on Telegraph Avenue or enjoy an outdoor concert at the Greek Theatre. On any day of the week, from the hills to the bay, there are enjoyable things to do in the diverse and colorful city of Berkeley.
Visit Nearby San Francisco
On weekends, you can explore San Francisco, just west of Berkeley across the San Francisco Bay. You can rent a bicycle and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge or take the cable car through Chinatown to Fisherman's Wharf. In San Francisco, you can visit many different neighborhoods, each with a distinct style. To experience the city's hip past, go to the coffeehouses and bookstores of North Beach. Enjoy the colorful Victorian architecture of the Haight-Ashbury district. Or view twinkling city lights, majestic bridges, and the Pacific Ocean coastline from one of the city's many famous hilltops. The sights, sounds, and flavors of San Francisco are what make it one of the most exciting cities anywhere.
Travel California and the West
In northern California, many worlds are within your reach. Napa Valley—with its wineries, restaurants, and shopping—is just an hour from San Francisco. You can fly to Los Angeles in an hour or drive to Lake Tahoe to ski down a mountain in about four hours. Yosemite National Park—with its spectacular rock formations, hiking trails, and waterfalls—is also a four-hour drive. IDP students have been known to try their luck in Las Vegas, only 920 kilometers southeast of Berkeley. Whatever your interest, the place to explore it is only a short distance away.
Links to more information:
Downtown Berkeley InformationBerkeley Convention and Visitors' Bureau
UC Berkeley Events Calendar
UC Berkeley Recreational Sports
San Francisco Chronicle (news)
Craig's List (online community)
Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) Information
AC Transit (local bus system)
Public Transportation Trip Planner